WPA scientific meetings 2020‐2023
Authors: Edmond H. Pi
Journal: World Psychiatry (2023)

It seems now an appropriate time to reflect on all that the WPA has achieved regarding scientific meetings during the triennium 2020-2023. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the organization of medical conferences across the entire world1, the WPA has strived together and advanced in terms of holding high-quality meetings. We are pride of these accomplishments, and we could have not achieved them without the strong commitment of the meeting organizers2, 3. Also, we are profoundly grateful for the contributions made by the Executive Committee in quickly reviewing and approving the proposed meetings, and the Standing Committee for Scientific Meetings for the continuous, consistent and excellent support. As the WPA is mindful that the COVID-19 pandemic increases risk of developing mental health problems, relapse of existing mental disorders and poor mental health, in addition to impacting the work of mental health services, it continues to promote an increasing understanding of public mental health among professionals and the public, including collaboration with patient and family organizations4. Sixteen working groups have been established to address the six priorities of the WPA Action Plan 2020-20235. Among the current priorities, public mental health continues getting particular attention5-8. The WPA scientific meetings are geared up to align with the Action Plan and its six areas. The programme of these meetings has been in full swing. We are in an exciting yet challenging time, but we have continued to do our utmost to promote the mission of the Association and to contribute to its achievements and success2, 9-11. Since 2021, the WPA has delivered a state-of-the-art platform of scientific events, consisting of both in-person and virtual meetings, to meet the needs of the global psychiatric community and provide cutting-edge information on recent advances in psychiatry. This has allowed WPA Member Societies to network, continue to build bonds with each other, and create new opportunities for collaboration. While the world is opening up and the travel restrictions have been gradually lifted around the globe, the WPA has successfully held the following in-person meetings since the World Congress of Psychiatry held in Bangkok, Thailand, August 3-6, 2022: the 19th Congress of the WPA Epidemiology and Public Health Section "Learning from Diversity Across the World: Implications for Psychiatric Epidemiology", Marrakech, Morocco, October 12-14, 2022; the Thematic Congress "Treatment and Management of Mental Disorders in a Post-Pandemic Era", Tbilisi, Georgia, October 14-16, 2022; the Intersectional Thematic Congress "New Horizons in Psychiatric Practice: Creative Ideas and Innovative Interventions", Malta, November 10-12, 2022; the Regional Congress "African Psychiatry in the 21st Century: Achievements and Future Perspectives", Hammamet, Tunisia, December 8-10, 2022; the Thematic Congress "Mental Health in a New Era", Karachi, Pakistan, March 3-5, 2023; the Regional Congress "Building Awareness – Bridging Treatment Gap", Kolkata, India, April 14-16, 2023; the Thematic Congress "Innovations in Treatment and Psychosocial Rehabilitation", Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 5-7, 2023; and the Regional Congress "Innovations in the Practice of Psychiatry in XXI Century", Yerevan, Armenia, June 8-10, 2023. The 2023 World Congress of Psychiatry, "Psychiatry: Current Knowledge and Perspectives for Action", will be held in Vienna, Austria, from September 28 to October 1, 2023. The outstanding contributions by Member Societies and colleagues helped us immense-ly to construct the program for this congress, which is now available for review on the WPA website. Thousands of our colleagues from across the world will get together to witness the best scientific advances and cutting-edge research in the field of psychiatry. Worldwide active participation in the congress will make this a successful, gratifying and memorable event. Warmest welcome to Vienna, Austria! The WPA is calling for Member Societies to consider organizing a World Congress of Psychiatry, Regional Congress or Thematic Congress for the next triennium 2023-2026. All relevant information and documents can be download directly from the WPA website (https://www.wpanet.org/contact-forms). Please feel free to get in touch with me or contact the WPA Secretariat at [email protected] for additional information, including how to plan and proceed with organizing a World Congress. As we look back on the challenges, especially related to the pandemic, we can state that the WPA has overcome these unprecedented difficulties. For sure, the WPA will adjust to and enfold whatever the future normalcy/normality we will be facing during the "post-pandemic" era. We trust that the future WPA meetings will promote the unique bonds that hold our Member Societies together, and get all these Societies re-energized and re-engaged during the coming years. The WPA is confident that, by embracing these opportunities, taking global action, and working closely together with international collaborations, we shall move forward to maintaining our momentum into 2023 and beyond, continuing to define and shape the future of psychiatry.